High-quality roofs ensure maximum protection against rain, snow, high winds, heat and extreme weather events. Due to their location, they are always at risk of damage, especially during a severe storm. Apart from that, other factors can also speed up their aging or contribute to early roof failure.
Fortunately, with regular maintenance, you can prolong your roof’s lifespan and maximize your investment. It also guarantees superior performance all year round. Roofing contractors can provide scheduled maintenance to get a clear picture of your roof’s existing condition. They can tell when you’ll likely need a roof replacement.
Of course, when it comes to your roof, you need a reliable roofer to do the job. The contractors must be skilled and experienced, and they should have sufficient knowledge about the specific type of roof they need to install. Aside from these qualifications, you should also make sure your roofer is insured.
Today, we discuss the various reasons you should hire an insured roofing company.
Advantages of Hiring an Insured Roofer
If your roofing contractors have insurance, you can be sure they have a sense of responsibility for the work they do and the members of their crew. It’s easier to trust companies like this because you know they’re looking out for their workers and clients.
Below are some of the benefits of working with an insured roofer:
Protection Against Liability
Licensed and insured contractors can protect you against liabilities and additional expenses. Typically, workers’ compensation insurance is part of their licensing requirements. It covers injuries that occur in the workplace during work hours. Without this insurance, you’ll be responsible for paying the injured worker’s medical bills.
But if a contractor makes repeated claims for workers’ compensation, this could mean frequent accidents while performing work – which could be a result of insufficient safety measures. This could increase the company’s insurance premiums and damage its reputation. So, best believe that an insured roofer will do a thorough job to guarantee quality workmanship and safe roofing practices.
Safe Working Environment
Whether it’s roof replacement or emergency roof repair, the job of roofers inherently comes with risks. Since they work on rooftops, use various tools and deal with environmental factors, accidents could happen at any time. A slight misstep could mean serious injuries to the roofer or anyone on the ground. Of course, safety measures should always be in place before roof work begins. You can’t expect the same level of precaution from roofing companies that have no insurance since they won’t be liable for any injuries or damages. If you want a roofer that can perform the job correctly and safely, you should hire someone with insurance.
Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness
Uninsured roofers are typically more affordable than insured roofers. Since they’re not paying any premiums, they can pass on their savings to their customers. This makes them an attractive option to homeowners, especially those with a limited budget. Unfortunately, these cheap upfront costs will catch up with you later when you realize the roofer delivered subpar workmanship or used low-quality materials. Instead of getting the most out of your investment, you’ll likely be spending on frequent repairs or an early replacement.
It’s also likely that an uninsured roofer doesn’t offer any guarantees. For example, if you discover misaligned shingles, improper nailing or leaks in your newly installed roof, you won’t have any warranties to cover the repairs or replacement. Even worse, your manufacturer warranty will also be voided since an unqualified contractor performed the installation. The savings at the beginning will eventually seem insignificant compared to the additional expenses you may encounter down the line.
Take note that, if your roofer isn’t insured, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for the treatment of the injured worker. You may also have to face additional repair costs if the contractor damages your property.
Types of Insurance That Roofers Must Have
Roofers typically have two types of insurance: general liability and workers’ compensation. These two insurance policies ensure homeowners won’t be responsible for the costs related to work injuries or property damage caused by the contractor.
General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance covers accidents that result in damage to your property. If your roofers make a mistake while installing your new roof or performing repairs, their liability insurance will save you from paying for their mistake.
For example, you called your roofers to fix a small area of your roof where shingles fell off during a storm. No other part of your roof was damaged. But when they climbed onto your roof and started working near your chimney, they accidentally hit the edge of your chimney with a hammer. The bricks were damaged, so your chimney needs to be repaired as well.
If your contractor doesn’t have liability insurance, you won’t only have to pay for your roof repair. You will also need to call a chimney contractor to replace the bricks on your chimney, adding to your expenses. But if your contractor has liability insurance, they can take care of the added costs to fix your chimney.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Sometimes, despite all safety precautions, accidents and injuries can still happen to the roofers. If your roofers fall from your roof, nail their hand or suffer any accident while working on your property, the injured workers or their family could hold you responsible for the injury. They could see it as your responsibility because it happened on your property.
But if your contractor has valid workers’ compensation insurance, you will be protected by that coverage. You won’t have to pay for their treatment or emergency room visit.
It’s easy for roofers to claim they’re insured and present a piece of paper showing their insurance coverage and name. But you have to be extra cautious – take a closer look at the details of their documents, and make sure their insurance policies are valid and under their business name. You must verify their insurance information, so you can be sure they’re trustworthy and they can offer protection to you.
Professional roofers always hold their heads high with pride after accomplishing the most challenging jobs. At LePage and Sons Roofing LLC, you can rest assured that we carry out projects to a high standard. We are a family-owned roofing contractor with over 15 years of experience. We have connections with trusted local suppliers, and we adhere to industry-approved roofing practices. We’re also a GAF Master Elite® Roofing Company, and we can offer stronger warranties for your new roof. To schedule a consultation, call us at (508) 295-6483, or complete our contact form.